The podiums keeps coming in Falkenberg. Richard Göransson drove a champions race from sixth place and finished second in the race at Falkenberg, after chasing winner Fredrik Ekblom hard in the second half of the race.
”The car was amazing, we had the best car of everyone. Finishing second from sixth place is pretty ok I think. It was a somewhat messy race in the beginning and oil on the track surprised all of us. It was a bit exciting but I got through it,” Richard says.

He was challenging Fredrik Ekblom for the victory but had to settle for second place as the turbo charged Volkswagen proved to be too quick on the straights.
”It was impossible to overtake him, he got several car lengths on me out on the straights. I put my headlights on and gave him a few friendly bumps but he is too experienced to fall for that so I had to settle for second. We have the car to win here though and we are always string here so we will go for another podium in the next race.” Richard will start in seventh place in the next race.

Martin Öhlin also proved the BMW is strong in race trim as he charged through the field from 17th place. He was up on 11th place, looking to overtake Viktor Hallrup for 10th place and set after eight place and pole for the second race. The plans changed however when Hallrup turned in on him and Martin spun off on the oil. He eventually charged back again, finishing 12th.
”It’s a shame, that eight place and pole för the second heat keeps getting away from me. I’m very pleased with the speed in me and the car in this race. Now we are where we really should have been yesterday. The pace was quick and it’s crap it sort of stopped when I tried to overtake Hallrup. With the speed we have in the car now it’s absolutely possible to salvage several points from this weekend in the next race,” Martin summarizes.

Next heat starts 3,35 pm.

Result, top eight  Falkenberg:

1: Fredrik Ekblom, Volkswagen 25 laps
2: R. Göransson, BMW + 0,570
3: R. Rydell, Chevrolet + 4,010
4: C. Turkington, BMW + 4,431
5: P. Olsson, Volkswagen + 11,763
6: T. Johansson, SEAT + 12,312
7: J. Sturesson, BMW + 12,732
8: J. Nilsson, BMW + 14,388

12: M. Öhlin, BMW + 30,101

WestCoast Racing had a mixed qualifying at Falkenberg. Richard Göransson went through to Q2 where he qualified sixth thus securing sixth starting sport for tomorrows first race.
”It’s weird but I’m actually happy. Normally I’m not happy with sixth place but I am this time. I feel I got everything out from me and the car this. We qualified as the best BMW and it’s difficult to ask for more in qualifying here,” Richard says.

He will now start sixth tomorrow and believes he has a good chance for the race. He started in a similar position here last year and went on to finish third and second in the two races.
”Sixth place might not be an ideal starting position but it was a similar case last year so I feel we have a good chance. The car feels very good over a race stint and we know that is where we are strong. I’m going to bed feeling happy and motivated for tomorrow.”

Martin Öhlin had a worse qualifying than his team mate and only finished 17th overall, three tenths from eight place and Q2 and only five tenths from pole.
”The car felt good but it just wasn’t enough. There’s nothing more to say, of course I’m not happy with this. The car felt good though so we will have to try and repair as much as possible tomorrow but the race is gonna be very tough,” Martin summarized.

Race 1 starts 1:05 pm followed by the second race 3:35 pm.

Qualifying, top eight Falkenberg:
1: F. Ekblom, Volkswagen 45,371
2: R. Rydell, Chevrolet + 0,063
3: Tommy Rustad, Volvo + 0,090
4: J. Kristoffersson, Volkswagen + 0,152
5: R. Eriksson, SEAT + 0,292
6: R. Göransson, BMW + 0,342
7: P. Olsson, Volkswagen + 0,412
8: C. Turkington, BMW + 0,416

17: M. Öhlin, BMW 46,002

The home track awaits WestCoast Racing. The fast track in Falkenberg has been a favourite track for WestCoast Racing through the years with a driver in the podium in every race since 2004. Richard Göransson has four podium finishes including one victory at this track from the last four races. He has one aim only for this weekend.
”It’s an high and ambitious goal but of course we aim to be on the podium in both races. This is our home track and we will have a team party afterwards so why not celebrate with a few podiums? I’m not in the championship fight now so good race weekends feels extra important and this is a track where we usually perform strong,” Richard says.

The weekend started on Thursday with an official STCC-test. Richard had the sixth fastest time but doesn’t think that has any bearings on the weekend.
”Testing is always testing, immediately afterwards you are kind of confused since we test so many different things every time. Of course I’m not happy with the time but I’m very happy with the feeling in the car. We don’t get any points for testing and it’s completely different when it’s time for qualifying and race. The weather seems to be a bit more cold tomorrow and on Saturday so that will change things also. As I said, we have set high targets.”

Martin Öhlin spent his test day driving a lot of laps as the team worked on different settings on his car. He ended the test day with 13th fastest time.
”Of course I’m not happy being so far down in the time sheets but this was not that kind of test day. We tested a lot of new settings on the car and that was our focus. Now I will have to sit down and go through all the things we tested but the weekend has started,” Martin says.

He aims for a lot of points this weekend as he wants to climb in the championship. He enjoys the Falkenberg track where he has race the Porsche the last three seasons and believes he will have a good weekend.
”The track likes me and I like the track. It’s a fun track to race at but at the same time very difficult and you can easily lose a lot of time. I enjoy it here and believe we can have a good weekend. It wouldn’t be bad to points with us from this weekend, and it would be really good with a lot of points from this weekend. That is an obvious goal, score as many points as possible.”

The race weekend starts Friday afternoon with free practice followed by qualifying later in the afternoon.

WestCoast Racing, podium finishes at Falkenberg 2003-2010:
2010: Richard Göransson 2:nd and 3:rd
2009: Richard Göransson 3rd and 1:st
2008: Fredrik Ekblom 1:st, Robin Rudholm 2:nd
2007: Fredrik Ekblom 2:nd
2006: Duncan Huisman 3:rd
2005: Richard Göransson 2:nd
2004: Richard Göransson 1:st and 1:st

Time schedule, STCC Falkenberg

Thursday 30/6
09.00 Test 1
13.30 Test 2

Friday 1/7
14.20 Test
17.20 Q1
17.45 Q2

Saturday 2/7
09.20 Warm up
13.05 Race 1 STCC
15.35 Race 2 STCC

TV-schdule, STCC

Viasat Motor
Saturday 2/7
12.30 Race 1, STCC
15.15 Race 2, STCC

SVT
Sunday 3/7
16.00 SVT2

Weight list, STCC Falkenberg

1225 kilo: BMW 320si E90 [6 speed SQ-box] 1210 kilo: BMW 320si E90 [5 speed H-box]
1210 kilo: Volkswagen Scirocco
1205 kilo: Chevrolet Cruze
1199 kilo: Volvo C30
1170 kilo: Honda Accord
1160 kilo: Alfa Romeo 156
1140 kilo:SEAT León TFSi
1120 kilo: SEAT León TFSi [Jason Watt] 1120 kilo: BMW 320i E46